Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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August 1963

Isle of Wight Times:-

Aug 1st 1963: RED FACES – Breakfasting guests at the Appley Hotel, Ryde, watched fascinated as a red fox was chased about the hotel grounds by a red-haired policeman. PC Ronald SHORT was an appropriate (not to say obvious) choice to be given the task of catching the animal after a surprised waitress noticed it outside. Eventually the animal was returned to Mr. Vernon WINKWORTH, proprietor of “Pets Corner.” PC SHORT was driven back to the station by (oddly enough) PC REDHEAD.

Aug 1st 1963: PETITION – It was reported that 10,000 signatures had been obtained on a “Save the Railway” petition, but more co-operation from hotels was being sought for visitors signatures.

Aug 1st 1963: CARNIVAL – Ryde Junior Carnival Queen was selected from 30 entries of 11 year-old girls. The contest was won by Miss Gioia MINGHELLA, a pupil of St. Mary’s RC School.

Aug 1st 1963: THIS WEEK’S PLAY – This week’s repertory production at the Esplanade Pavilion, Ryde, is “Bachelor Flat,” by Bud GROSSMAN. The play is set in Greenwich Village in America.

Aug 1st 1963: EVENTS – Royal York Hotel Dancing each night to Paul RAYNOR and his band, admission 3/6; Wrestling Ryde Town Hall every Tuesday; Commodore Cinema, “The Longest Day”; Keep Fit classes, mornings at the Bandstand Enclosure; Sports Supporters Club, Bingo at the Town Hall every Friday; Garden Fete at Bishop Lovett School on Thursday.

Aug 8th 1963: VISITORS – More than 42,000 people used the Ryde-Portsmouth ferries to visit the Island over the holiday period, a big increase on 1962’s August “Dank” Holiday.

Aug 8th 1963: POLICE – During the next five years there will be a big increase in the strength of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police. The Home Office has agreed to expand the establishment by 303 police officers and 55 civilians.

Aug 8th 1963: YOUTH CLUB – St John’s Youth Club held a dance in aid of the funds of St. John’s Church fete. No less than seven nationalities attended. This function was also a farewell dance for Roger PECK, the members committee chairman, who is leaving to work in Southampton.

Aug 8th 1963: EXAMINATIONS – Eight Royal I.W. County Hospital nurses gained passes in a recent State Examination.

Aug 22 nd 1963: CAR FERRY – It took almost four hours for an Island ferry to complete the journey from Portsmouth to Fishbourne on Wednesday night when the hydrolic ramps at both ends of the ship refused to open making it impossible for motorists to disembark.

Aug 22nd 1963: PROBLEM SOLVED – What has orange legs, a black body and two sharp spikes protruding from its nose? Ryde police didn’t know either when a beetle of this description was handed in to them alive. It had been found in a bunch of bananas at a local greengrocer’s. An easier-to-identify regulation boot soon disposed of the mysterious alien.

Aug 22nd 1963: NO SPORTSMAN – Are we correct in assuming that it is a gambling addict who tears out and removes the sporting pages from the national newspapers at the Ryde Public Library? May it not be an anti-gambler performing his daily “good deed”?